Students and Conventional Photography

An interesting trend. As many of you know I am the industial manager in Western Canadas largest independent photo retailer. Gov't, studios, schools and the such. Seven or eight years ago all the schools wanted to get into digital (high school and college level). The students all wanted to learn about the new Canon and Sony systems that were out then. The last year or so has seen a huge resurgence in film, paper and chemical. Along with 35mm camera sales. According to the teachers, the students are basically all saying that they know about computers from home (thanks to PS2 and the Cube and such). What they want to learn about is the stuff they can't do at home on the computer - wet photography. Sure, digital will take over a lot of the day to day stuff in photography, but it's looking like there's a whole new generation of people coming up that just may appreciate getting thier fingers wet in the developer.

Hi Bob!

 

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It's really hard for me to say this, because it's a saying which I

have always hated -- and still do hate -- but... "So What?"

Basically everything you said is a good fact, and I'm really happy

about it too. But what does this mean will happen, other than that

which we all love being able to remain even longer? Do you mean that

this is an important new info for teachers? For the students

themselves?

 

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Actually, I'm still on your side. I (myself) am not interested in

digital stuff anyhow.

 

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Mike

 

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Mike

Perhaps the constant hype on digital is having some good spin-

offs.Making people aware of photography in gerneral,hence there

interest in the wet photographic proccess.In recent years we have

also seen a resurgence in manual cameras.I think the two will always

walk side by side,digital always the more popular.The chemical way

considered more arty or just more interesting.

Or maybe the constant hype on digital is finally wearing off. After a

decade of hearing that film is about to become obsolete, perhaps

people have recognized that the digital revolution has already

taken place, and it was all about image processing, not image capture.

 

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Joe

Hi Bob, I enjoyed your observation from the "real-world" measure of

sales, etc. regarding traditional photography. I've also noticed

(surprisingly) a parallel increase, lately, in the older,

alternative processes. It wouldn't be bad to let digital stay around

for some things!!!! - as long as we can keep it in its place(??)

(lol)

 

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Regards,

I also suspect that people are getting tired of the digital camera

"marketing-go-round" where you're required to fork out $1K a year,

every year, just to keep up to date.

Possibly we are seeing another digital watch revolution. Digital

watches were "in", now we have analog electronic watches. When are

digital cameras going to settle down to a standard, like 35mm film?

It is good to hear that the "wet" labs are coming back, and with it

the availability of the chemicals and paper.

 

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Thank-you for the comments Bob.

<i>It is good to hear that the "wet" labs are coming back, and

with it the availability of the chemicals and paper. </i>

 

Some of us weren't aware "wet" labs ever left. ;)<p>

 

But thanks for the "resurgence" report Bob. It's nice to know not all

the lemmings rushed into the sea.

I think in a short time digital will be seen by photogs as another tool rather than a sweeping

movement that will topple all preceding techniques. May the Digital vs. Film debate end in a

whimper!